Listen to Red - don't get burned!

My friend, videographer extraordinaire, Doug Baird is fond of a quote from the even more famous Red Adair, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."

Wikipedia describes Paul Neal "Red" Adair (June 18, 1915 – August 7, 2004) as an American oil well firefighter - notable as an innovator in the highly specialized and extremely hazardous profession of extinguishing and capping blazing, erupting oil well blowouts, both land-based and offshore.

When we were kids, we all knew who Red was. Maybe you remember your Dad, pointing to stories of his exploits in the newspaper like mine did, "Hey,look at this guy!"

Throughout the sixties and seventies, if you had an oil well fire problem, you called for Red!  Brave and daring, Red was our action hero.  We played games in our backlot pretending to blow stuff up and calling for assistance. 

In 1968 John Wayne starred in the movie Hellfighters; the storyline based on the feats of Adair.  Now that is recognition.  

Even at the advanced age of 75, Adair was called upon to help extinguish the oil well fires in Kuwait set by retreating Iraqi troops after the Gulf War in 1991. He died in 2004 at age 89.

What's my point?  

Making and handling media is not nearly as risky as fighting oilfires, but you can still easily get burned.

Especially in a media crisis - better know who to call!

Save your money, time, and aggravation.  

Heed Red Adair.

Make More Media!  www.mooremedia.ca

Is your Media Vision Shortsighted?

How would you rate the vision you or your company has regarding media?  Are you a bit clairvoyant - gazing into the future with confidence?  Or more like the myopic fellow here?

You probably have a business plan which details the milestones you want to achieve and the markers that will indicate those accomplishments.  But what about awareness of your Brand?  There are many ways you can increase your media outreach.   Lots of them are cheap and some even free.

Don't know where to start?

Begin with an analysis of your current situation and assets.  Website, videos, newsletters, blogs etc.

Then determine a goal and a message.  Do you want to be known as the the best or cheapest or deepest or fastest?  Pick one or two values.  And realistically determine your location - your sphere of influence.  Is it local, regional, national or global?

Develop a strategy to promote the message and reach those goals. Much of the work you can do with your own research and skill sets and you will have the satisfaction of "owning" the knowledge.  Some elements to your media strategy will require professional assistance.

A good plan and a bit of consistent effort can produce some great results.

Here are some resources to assist.

http://www.magnifydigital.com
www.gitomer.com
http://adage.com/

Make more media!
www.mooremedia.ca

Want Professional Results?

What's on Captain Jack's Mind?

A number of clients have asked me lately if they can use their own video for their company's corporate message.  The answer is another question.  What results do you want to achieve?  Amateurs, no matter how good the equipment, will deliver amateur results. If you want a top quality job, hire a professional.

You don't ask your dentist to handle your bookkeeping, your lawyer to fix the plumbing, or your plumber to represent you in court. Why would you select your nephew - who has posted up some YouTube videos - to tell the very important story of your company?

A camera is just like a saxophone.  The music depends on the artist, the band, the tune, and the conductor.

One of my favorite quotes about photography applies equally well to video.
"Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer.  It makes you a Nikon owner.~ Author unknown". 

The professionals I work with have collectively scores of years of experience in creating great video stories. We've made lots of mistakes, and still make a phew few.  But hopefully most of them were made before we went to work with you.